Prune and pinch

? Groom azaleas by cutting long suckers back to the stem. Do not prune as the plants are setting their buds.

? Continue to pinch back 3 to 4 inches, as needed, on begonias, chrysanthemums, coleus, copper plants and other leggy plants.

? Remove stems of irises and amaryllis after bloom, retaining healthy foliage. If desired, foliage of Louisiana irises may be cut back in June or when it begins to droop. Mulch rhizomes heavily to avoid sunscald, and water regularly.

? Cut poinsettias back about one-third in late June or early July to encourage branching.

? To encourage a second or third flowering of crepe myrtles, remove flowers after the first bloom has peaked. Flowering will cease when seed pods are allowed to form.

? Prune freeze damaged citrus trees. Remove water sprouts.

Fertilize

? Palms with balanced fertilizer such as 12-12-12.

? Summer-blooming perennials, bulbs, tropical plants and bedding plants monthly with a granular product or twice-monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20. If using Osmocote or other timed-release granular product, apply somewhat more frequently than package label states.

? Flowering plants in hanging baskets and other containers weekly or twice monthly with a liquid fertilizer such as 20-20-20. Dilute the product for ferns.

? Shrubs, trees and vines in outdoor containers monthly with a liquid fertilizer.

? Established roses monthly with commercial rose fertilizer or other recommended products.

? Blackberries and strawberries with bone meal and cottonseed meal.

Pest control

? During humid weather, consider using a regular spray program every five to seven days to prevent black spot and powdery mildew on hybrid tea roses using a fungicide such as Funginex applied three times at seven-day intervals. Consider also trying the new Bayer Advanced product, All-in-One Rose & Flower Care, which combines systemic forms of fertilizer, insecticide and fungicide in one monthly pour-on application. Many of the newer roses are disease-resistant, thus do not require the application of chemicals.

? If lace bug infestation has been a problem on azaleas in the past, begin a prevention program by spraying with a mixture of fungicide and insecticide.

? Cultivate soil only when foliage is dry to reduce spread of disease.

? Inspect ajuga and violets for crown rot. To control, remove diseased plants and surrounding soil. Before adding new plant material, drench soil in bed with Terraclor or a similar product according to label directions.

? Inspect hybrid tea and other modern roses weekly (or daily) to remove and collect in a zip-close bag leaves affected by fungal diseases. Burn the leaves to prevent spread of disease. Don't be tempted to treat disease symptoms on Knock Out Roses. Like old garden roses, they heal themselves.

? Control slugs and snails by sprinkling commercial bait at the base of tender plants.

Annual Hibiscus show scheduled

The Mike Bernard Acadiana chapter of the American Hibiscus Society will present its 13th annual Hibiscus Show and Sale May 19 at the Cathedral Carmel Gym on St. John Street, Lafayette. Admission is free.

Hibiscus growers may enter blooms from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The public is invited for plant sales from 1 to 4 p.m. Sales will include exotic varieties and hibiscus fertilizer. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Experts will be on hand to provide advice and growing tips as well as to enroll interested persons in joining the society. For further information, visit acadianahibiscus.com.

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Summer weather allows for new plants, pruning

Container-grown trees, shrubs and vines. Keep new plantings well-watered during the summer months.